Bottom end stop for slide fastener

ABSTRACT

A bottom end stop for a slide fastener constituted of an upper and lower plate and a base portion, comprising the upper plate formed of a flat undeformable plate and having a flange formed on each of both side ends thereof by bending each side end at right angle, a groove portion having a circular section provided in the center of the rear face of the lower plate, an arm portion provided on each of both sides of the groove portion such that the arm portion departs gradually from the upper plate, centers of the upper and lower plates connected through a base portion, a core portion of a fastener tape sandwiched between the upper and lower plates on right and left sides of the base portion, and the arm portion deformed toward the upper plate plastically to attach the bottom end stop, thereby enabling a decoration such as letters, marks or patterns to be expressed simply on the surface of the bottom end stop, and preventing generation of cracks in the lower plate when the bottom end stop is attached.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to an end stop which is attached to a core portion formed on fastener tapes adjacent to fastener elements in a slide fastener employing the fastener tapes each having the core portion on one side edge thereof, the end stop having a function of stopping a sliding action of the slider, and more particularly to a bottom end stop for a slide fastener made of metal.

2. Description of Related Art

According to U.S. Pat. No. 2,884,691, a conventional bottom end stop for a slide fastener which can be attached to a side edge of a fastener tape easily is configured as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9. Specifically, a body 210 of the bottom end stop has a sharp angled groove portion 218 that is formed in the center of curved branch wall portions 217 formed on the right and left of the surface, and curved branch wall portions 217 that are formed on the right and left sides of the rear surface thereof as well as a flat bottom face formed in the central portion of the rear surface. The groove portion 218 in the front surface of the body 210 and the flat bottom face of the rear surface are connected through a base portion 220 as shown in FIG. 8. The flat bottom face of the body 210 is placed on an anvil. A core portion 207 formed on one side edge of the fastener tape 203 is embedded between opposing faces of the right and left curved branch wall portions 217 on the upper side and opposing faces of the right and left curved branch wall portions 217 on the lower side. Then, the bottom end stop for the slide fastener is attached by pressing from above.

According to Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication No. 2005-152023, another bottom end stop for a slide fastener shown in FIGS. 10 and 11 is known. More specifically, as shown in FIG. 10, a proximal portion 320 is provided in the center, and a front surface leg portion 317 and a rear surface leg portion 317 are formed on the right and left sides of the proximal portion 320 so as to oppose each other. Each leg portion 317 extends from the proximal portion 320 in the right and left directions so that the front surface side leg portion 317 and the rear surface side leg portion 317 are formed obliquely such that the leg portions 317 depart from each other gradually as they get away from the proximal portion 320. Right and left side ends of the bottom end stop 306 are formed so that each of them is open. A projection 323 having an appropriate shape is formed on the inner face of the leg portion 317 to form an accommodating portion 316 in which the core portion 307 of the fastener tape can be fixed. The core portion 307 formed on the side edge of the fastener tape is embedded in the accommodating portion 316 through the opening portion formed on each outside end on the right and left sides, and then, attached to the side edge of the fastener tape by pressing end portions of the leg portions 317 on the front and rear surfaces on the right and left sides, so as to close the end portions of the fastener chain.

The bottom end stop for the slide fastener shown in FIGS. 8 and 9 described above has the sharp angled groove portion 218 in the surface of the bottom end stop to be fixed to the fastener chain. For this reason, crack may often occur in the bottom end stop when it is pressed, thereby possibly deteriorating the product quality. Further, because the surface of the bottom end stop is circular, it is difficult to form a decoration such as letters, marks, or patterns on the surface of the bottom end stop.

In the bottom end stop 306 for the slide fastener shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, the leg portion 317 on the front surface side and the leg portion 317 on the rear surface side are formed obliquely so as to be open. To attach the bottom end stop 306 on the core portion 307 formed on the side edge of the fastener tape, both the right and left leg portions 317 on the front and rear surface sides need to be deformed by pressing. Thus, it is difficult to form such a decoration as letters, marks, or patterns on the surface of the bottom end stop 306.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention has been achieved in views of the above-described problems, and a main object of the invention is to provide a bottom end stop for a slide fastener in which occurrence of cracks can be prevented in the bottom end stop when the bottom end stop for the slide fastener is fixed to a fastener chain, thereby providing an excellent product quality and enabling such a decoration as letters, marks or patterns to be expressed on the surface of the bottom end stop simply to ensure an excellent decoration performance.

Another object of the invention is to provide a bottom end stop for a slide fastener in which a decoration such as letters, marks and patterns can be expressed simply, effectively and securely on the surface thereof, the bottom end stop being attachable to a core portion formed on a side edge of the fastener tape simply.

Another object of the invention is to provide a bottom end stop for a slide fastener in which a root of an upper side of a base portion connecting the upper and lower portions of the center of the bottom end stop and the root of the upper plate on the front side are reinforced to inhibit deformation thereof, the bottom end stop for the slide fastener being of type in which a decoration such as letters, marks and patterns can be expressed simply on the surface of the bottom end stop.

Another object of the invention is to provide a bottom end stop for a slide fastener in which projecting portions are formed on both right and left side faces of the base portion connecting the upper and lower portions of the center of the bottom end stop so as to reinforce the base portion including the circular groove portion, the bottom end stop being hard to damage.

Another object of the invention to provide a bottom end stop for a slide fastener in which a space for accommodating the core portion formed on one side edge of the fastener tape is secured between the arm portions on the upper plate and the lower plate of the bottom end stop, so that the bottom end stop can be attached to the side edge of the fastener tape firmly.

Another object of the invention is to provide a bottom end stop for a slide fastener in which the upper plate is made difficult to deform by increasing the strength of the upper plate itself while the lower plate is formed deformable easily, whereby the bottom end stop can be attached to one side edge of the fastener tape simply and securely.

To achieve the above-described object, according to a main aspect of the present invention, there is provided a bottom end stop for a slide fastener constituted of an upper plate, a lower plate and a base portion. The upper plate is formed of a flat plate while a flange is provided on each of both side ends by bending each side end thereof at right angle. The lower plate is provided with a circular groove portion whose bottom portion is circular shaped in the center of a rear face thereof. The centers of the upper plate and the lower plate are connected through the base portion, while each core portion of each of right and left fastener tapes is sandwiched between the upper plate and the lower plate on the right and left sides of the base portion.

Because the upper plate of the bottom end stop is formed of a flat plate and the flanges are provided on both side ends thereof by bending, the bottom end stop itself can be finished in a rigid structure. Further, a decoration such as letters, marks and patterns can be expressed on the surface of the bottom end stop because the upper plate is flat. In addition, the lower plate is provided with the circular groove portion at the bottom portion in the center thereof. With this configuration, when the bottom end stop is mounted on the core portion formed on one side edge of the fastener tape, the lower plate surrounds the core portion easily and holds it, thereby preventing occurrence of cracks in the center of the lower plate and finishing a bottom end stop excellent in decoration with an excellent quality.

Preferably, the upper plate of the bottom end stop is formed of a flat plate which cannot be deformed and the lower plate is deformable plastically so as to approach toward the upper plate.

Consequently, a decoration such as letters, marks and patterns can be expressed easily on the surface of the upper plate because the upper plate is not deformed. Further, because the lower plate is deformed plastically, the bottom end stop can be attached to the core portion formed on one side edge of the fastener tape only by deforming the lower plate on the rear side of the bottom end stop. As a result, the bottom end stop can be formed with an excellent appearance and an operation for attaching the bottom end stop can be carried out easily.

Preferably, a swelling portion is provided on the upper side of the base portion which connects the upper plate and the lower plate of the bottom end stop through a central portion such that the swelling portion protrudes and swells from the surface of the upper plate.

Consequently, both the root of the upper portion of the base portion formed in the center of the bottom end stop and the root of members extending to the right and left sides of the upper plate are reinforced to produce a rigid bottom end stop difficult to deform. Additionally, a decoration such as letters, marks and patterns can be expressed easily on the surface of the reinforced swelling portion or the surface on both sides of the swelling portion. Consequently, a bottom end stop having an excellent appearance can be finished.

Preferably, projecting portions projecting to the side are provided on both the right and left side faces of the base portion which connects the upper plate and the lower plate of the bottom end stop through the central portion, and the circular groove portion is provided in the lower plate by engraving so as to be directed to between the right and left projecting portions.

Consequently, the projecting portions reinforce the base portion, thereby preventing the base portion from being damaged when the lower plate is deformed.

Preferably, the lower plate of the bottom end stop is located to oppose the upper plate in a vertical direction, and arm portions are formed so as to extend from the central portion side of the lower plate to both the right and left sides of the lower plate while departing from the upper plate.

Consequently, space for accommodating the core portion formed on one side edge of the fastener tape can be secured between the upper plate and the arm portion, so that the core portion can be inserted easily and held firmly.

Preferably, as for the upper plate and the lower plate of the bottom end stop, the upper plate is formed thicker than the lower plate, thereby blocking deformation of the upper plate.

Consequently, the strength of the upper plate is intensified so that it is made difficult to deform, and on the other hand, the lower plate is made easier to deform than the upper plate. The structure of the lower end stop which allows the lower plate to be deformed easily can be achieved with the simplest structure. That is, the effects which the present invention can achieve are remarkable.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front view of a slide fastener;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the surface of a bottom end stop according to a first embodiment;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the rear surface of the bottom end stop;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view of the bottom end stop before a fastener tape is inserted;

FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken along the line V-V of the bottom end stop;

FIG. 6 is a sectional view of the bottom end stop after it is attached to the fastener tape;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the surface of a bottom end stop according to a second embodiment;

FIG. 8 is a plan view of a first known bottom end stop;

FIG. 9 is a plan view showing a usage condition of the bottom end stop;

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a second known bottom end stop; and

FIG. 11 is a sectional view showing a usage condition of the bottom end stop.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

A bottom end stop for a slide fastener of the present invention is constructed as shown in FIGS. 2, 3 and 6. A slide fastener 1 for use herein comprises a pair of right and left fastener stringers 2, 2, a slider 8, a top end stop 5 and a bottom end stop 6. The pair of fastener stringers 2, 2 has a plurality of fastener elements 4 attached on one side edge in the length direction of a fastener tape 3. The slider 8 allows the fastener elements 4 to pass therethrough, whereby the slider slides on the fastener elements 4 to engage/disengage the right and left fastener elements 4, 4. The top end stop 5 is located on an upper end side of the slide fastener 1 and attached adjacent to the fastener element 4. The bottom end stop 6 is located on the bottom end side of the slide fastener 1 and attached adjacent to the fastener element 4. The top end stop 5 and bottom end stop 6 prevent the slider 8 from slipping from the fastener elements 4.

The slide fastener 1 is manufactured as follows. First, the fastener elements 4 at a predetermined interval in the length direction of a continuous long fastener chain are removed to form a space portion having no fastener elements 4, and the slider 8 is loaded on the fastener elements 4 from the space portion, the fastener elements being inserted through the slider 8. Then, the top end stop 5 is attached adjacent to the fastener element 4 on the space portion on one side, while the bottom end stop 6 is attached adjacent to the fastener element 4 on the other space portion located on an opposite side in the length direction of the fastener chain to the space portion on the one side across the fastener elements 4. Thereafter, the fastener tape 3 is cut at the space portion, thereby completing the slide fastener 1 of a predetermined length.

The fastener elements 4 used in the slide fastener 1 are constituted of individual fastener elements 4 fixed at predetermined pitches in the length direction of the slide fastener 1, and the fastener elements 4 are arranged across front and rear faces on one side edge of the fastener tape 3. As a preferable example, the fastener element 4 may be of single unit type or continuous linear zigzag type, and the material of the fastener element 4 may be of metal or resin. Further, the top end stop 5 may be made of metal or resin, and the bottom end stop 6 is formed of metal and attached to a core portion 7 formed on one side edge of the fastener tape 3 by pressing.

The bottom end stop 6 is formed such that the slider 8, through which the fastener elements 4 are inserted, butts against, and as shown in FIGS. 2, 3 and 6, an upper plate 11 and a lower plate 12 are connected in the center through a base portion 20. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 6, the upper plate 11 is formed such that a central portion in the center in the right and left direction, that is, in the width direction perpendicular to the length direction of the slide fastener 1 is thicker. The upper plate 11 has a swelling portion 15 formed such that a top face, that is, a surface of the swelling portion 15 swells flatly. The swelling portion 15 extends flatly to both the right and left sides. The right and left side ends of the upper plate 11 are bent at right angle downwardly with respect to the upper plate 11 to form a flange 14, and the dimension between the flanges 14 is substantially equal to the width of the fastener elements 4 when the right and left fastener elements 4 engage each other.

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 6, the lower plate 12 has a groove portion 18 having a circular section and arm portions 17. The groove portion 18 is formed concavely in the center in the right and left direction of the rear face, and extends in the length direction of the slide fastener 1. The arm portions 17 are formed on both right and left sides of the groove portion 18 so as to oppose the upper plate 11 in a vertical direction, each arm portion 17 being bent so as to depart from the upper plate 11 gradually as it goes from the central portion of the lower plate 12 toward each of the right and left sides. When the arm portion 17 is pressed centering around the groove portion 18, the arm portion 17 is deformed toward the upper plate 11 that is not deformed, and then, the core portion 7 is sandwiched with the upper plate 11 and the lower plate 12, whereby the bottom end stop 6 is attached to the core portion 7 of the fastener tape 3.

In the upper plate 11 and the lower plate 12, the swelling portion 15 and the groove portion 18 are connected through the base portion 20 in the vertical direction as shown in FIGS. 2, 3 and 6. As shown in FIG. 4, the base portion 20 has a projecting portion 21 which projects throughout the entire length of the bottom end stop 6 toward the fastener tape 3, thereby reinforcing the base portion 20, so that the front face of the core portion 7 of the fastener tape 3 can be pressed. The circular groove portion 18 formed on the bottom side face of the base portion 20 is provided concavely toward between the right and left projecting portions 21 for reinforcing the base portion 20 so as to assist deformation of the arm portions 17.

Decoration such as letters, marks and patterns is expressed on the flat surface of the upper plate 11 by engraving. As shown in FIG. 4, the core portion 7 formed on the fastener tape 3 is inserted into an opening portion formed on each of both side faces of the bottom end stop 6. Then, the arm portion 17 of the lower plate 12 is deformed toward the upper plate 11 by pressing so that the arm portion 17 is brought into a pressure contact therewith. As a consequence, the bottom end stop 6 sandwiches the core portion 7 and holds it. Accordingly, the bottom end stop 6 is fixed adjacent to one end portion of the fastener element 4, so that the slider 8 which slides on the fastener elements 4 comes into a contact with the bottom end stop 6, thereby stopping sliding of the slider 8.

First Embodiment

A bottom end stop 6 for use in a slide fastener according to a first embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 to 6 is molded of metal such as aluminum alloy or zinc alloy by die casting means. The bottom end stop 6 is formed of an upper plate 11, a lower plate 12 and a base portion 20. The upper plate 11 is formed such that its thickness is increased continuously along the length direction of the slide fastener, thereby forming a swelling portion 15 on the surface of the upper plate 11. The surface of the swelling portion 15 is flat, and when the bottom end stop 6 is formed, decoration such as letters, marks and patterns is expressed by engraving or in a post process.

Both sides of the swelling portion 15 formed in the center of the upper plate 11 extend flatly to the right and left directions, and flanges 14 are formed on both side edges thereof such that they are bent at right angle downward with respect to the upper plate 11. A decoration such as letters, marks and patterns may be expressed on the flat portions on both sides of the swelling portion 15. The lateral width of the upper plate 11 is substantially equal to the width dimension when the right and left fastener elements 4 engage each other. The length of the flat portion formed on both sides of the upper plate 11 in the length direction of the slide fastener 1 is equal to the length of plural pieces of the fastener elements 4 in the length direction of the slide fastener 1, that is, the dimension of the plural pieces of the fastener elements 4 in the length direction of the slide fastener 1, thereby taking a role of pressing down the core portion 7 in the fastener tape 3. Further, as shown in FIG. 1, the upper plate 11 is formed such that the swelling portion 15 in the center projects to an opposite side to a side in which the swelling portion 15 adjoins the fastener element 4, that is, projects in a convex shape downward of the slide fastener 1, and consequently, the bottom end stop 6 having an excellent appearance is formed.

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 6, the lower plate 12 has a groove portion 18 having a circular section at a central position in the right and left direction of the rear face of the bottom end stop 6. Arm portions 17 are formed on both sides of the groove portion 18 so that the arm portions 17 oppose the upper plate 11 in the vertical direction and extend obliquely toward both the right and left sides from the central portion of the lower plate 12 while departing from the upper plate 11. The front end of the arm portion 17 is formed up to a position corresponding to the flange 14 of the upper plate 11. The bottom end of the lower plate 12 is formed into a convex shape downward of the slide fastener 1 like the swelling portion 15.

The base portion 20 which connects the upper plate 11 with the lower plate 12 in the vertical direction is formed from the rear face of the swelling portion 15 up to the groove portion 18. The projecting portion 21 projecting outwardly or toward the fastener tape 3 side is formed on the side face of the bottom end stop 6 throughout the entire length of the bottom end stop 6, thereby reinforcing the base portion 20, so that the core portion 7 formed on the fastener tape 3 is pressed from the front side. Further, the circular groove portion 18 formed in the bottom side face of the base portion 20 is provided concavely to be directed to between the right and left projecting portions 21 which project from the side faces of the base portion 20 so as to reinforce the base portion 20. Consequently, the arm portion 17 is made easy to deform and the circular groove portion 18 is formed, which makes it possible to eliminate a portion on which tensile stress is concentrated at the time of deformation, and to prevent occurrence of cracks.

In the bottom end stop 6, projections 23 each having an appropriate shape are formed on required positions of the inner faces of both the upper plate 11 and the lower plate 12. For example, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, projections 23′ having the same height are formed at four positions each on the right and left sides of the base portion 20 in the inner face of the upper plate 11, and projections 23′ having the same height are formed at four positions on the inner faces of the right and left arm portions 17 of the base portion 20 in the lower plate 12. Each of these projections 23, 23′ is, as shown in FIG. 5, formed in a trapezoidal shape with its top face flat, a face on one side inclined, a face on the other side at right angle and side faces at right angle. The inclined face of each projection 23, 23′ is directed to a side in which the fastener element 4 exists while the right angle face on the other side is directed to a portion projecting in a convex shape formed on the downward side of the bottom end stop 6. The bottom end stop 6 is formed into a configuration preventing the same bottom end stop 6 from slipping out from the core portion 7 with the projections 23, 23′ by pressing when the bottom end stop 6 is attached to the core portion 7.

In the bottom end stop 6, as shown in FIG. 4, the core portion 7 formed on the fastener tape 3 is inserted into the opening portion formed between the upper plate 11 and the lower plate 12 located on both sides of the base portion 20 from the right and left sides. At this time, with the right and left fastener elements 4 in engagement, the core portion 7 formed on one side edge of the fastener tape 3 is inserted into the opening portion such that the bottom end stop 6 is located adjacent end portions of the fastener elements 4.

In the bottom end stop 6 in which the core portion 7 formed on one side edge of the fastener tape 3 is inserted, only the arm portion 17 formed on the lower plate 12 is deformed without deforming the upper plate 11 and the bottom end stop 6 is fixed with the core portion 7 pressed against the upper plate 11 and the base portion 20. At this time, the groove portion 18 is formed circularly so as to prevent cracks from being generated at a portion of the groove portion 18 of the lower plate 12 by deformation of the arm portion 17 of the lower plate 12. For this reason, tensile stress to be applied to the lower plate 12 at the time of processing is distributed by the circular groove portion 18 and inhibited from being concentrated locally, thereby blocking occurrence of cracks. In the meantime, as a countermeasure for blocking the upper plate 11 from being deformed, the upper plate 11 can be formed thicker than the lower plate 12.

As described above, examples of the type of the fastener element 4 for use in the slide fastener 1 of this embodiment, that is, the type of the fastener element 4 which is located across the front and rear faces of one side edge of the fastener tape 3 include a single body type, such as a type in which metallic wire having an outer shape of the fastener element 4 is cut out and pressed on one side edge of the fastener tape 3, a type in which individual fastener elements 4 are injection-molded on one side edge of the fastener tape 3 by injection molding means using resin, and a type in which a continuous linear zigzag type fastener element 4 is located across one side edge of the fastener tape 3. With the core portion 7 attached to an end portion of the fastener stringer 2, 2 with coil-like or zigzag-like continuous fastener elements 4 attached to the surface on one side edge of the fastener tape 3 by passing therethrough or interposing the core portion 7 therein, that is, with the core portion 7 attached to the surface of the fastener tape 3, the core portion 7 is arranged on the side of the upper plate 11 side of the bottom end stop 6. Then, only the flat lower plate 12 is deformed by pressing corresponding to the fastener tape 3, so that the bottom end stop 6 can be attached to the fastener tape 3.

Second Embodiment

A bottom end stop 6 for use in a slide fastener according to a second embodiment shown in FIG. 7 is formed of an upper plate 11, a lower plate 12 and a base portion 20, and the surface of the upper plate 11 is flat. Flanges 14 are formed by bending both side ends at right angle, and the surface of the upper plate 11 is formed into a configuration enabling a decoration such as letters, marks and patterns to be expressed. A groove portion 18 having a circular section is formed concavely in the center in the right and left direction of the rear face of the lower plate 12, and arm portions 17 are formed on the right and left sides of the groove portion 18 such that the arm portions 17 are continuous from the groove portion 18. The base portion 20 is provided to connect the upper plate 11 and the lower plate 12 in the vertical direction, and projecting portions 21 are formed on the side faces of the base portion 20 to reinforce the base portion 20.

The plan view shape of the bottom end stop 6 is square and no convex portion projecting to a downward side of the slide fastener 1 exists at the lower end portion of the bottom end stop 6. The upper plate 11 is formed relatively thicker than the lower plate 12, so that deformation of the lower plate 12 is facilitated. At the time of pressing, only the lower plate 12 is deformed, and a core portion 7 is sandwiched between the upper plate 11 and the lower plate 12 to attach the bottom end stop 6 to the core portion 7.

The slide fastener having the bottom end stop for the slide fastener of the invention sewed thereto is attached to an opening of a product one end of which is open while the other end thereof is closed. The bottom end stop for the slide fastener is used in, for example, bags, knapsacks, and clothes, in particular, trousers and skirts. By expressing a decoration such as letters, marks and patterns on the surface of the bottom end stop, the bottom end stop is used for products whose design performance is taken as important. 

1. A bottom end stop for a slide fastener constituted of an upper plate, a lower plate and a base portion, wherein the upper plate is formed of a flat plate while a flange is provided on each of both side ends thereof by bending each side end, the lower plate comprises a circular groove portion formed in a center of a rear face thereof, centers of the upper plate and the lower plate are connected through a base portion, and a core portion of each of right and left fastener tapes is sandwiched between the upper plate and the lower plate on the right and left sides of the base portion.
 2. The bottom end stop for the slide fastener according to claim 1, wherein the lower plate is deformed plastically toward the upper plate while the upper plate is not deformed.
 3. The bottom end stop for the slide fastener according to claim 1, wherein a swelling portion is provided on a surface of an upper plate on an upper side of the base portion such that it swells from the surface of the upper plate.
 4. The bottom end stop for the slide fastener according to claim 1, wherein a projecting portion projecting outwardly is provided on each of both right and left sides of the base portion, and the circular groove portion is provided by engraving toward between the right and left projecting portions.
 5. The bottom end stop for the slide fastener according to claim 1, wherein the lower plate and the upper plate are located so as to face each other in a vertical direction, and arm portions are formed so as to extend from a central side of the lower plate toward each of the right and left sides of the lower plate so that the arm portions depart gradually from the upper plate.
 6. The bottom end stop for the slide fastener according to claim 1, wherein the upper plate is formed thicker than the lower plate. 